Auction 45 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
Walter Zadek - Photographs of Helmar Lerski
Opening: $1,000
Unsold
Walter Zadek (1900-1992), fourteen photos of the photographer Helmar Lerski (1871-1956). [Tel-Aviv, 1930s-40s].
Fourteen b/w professional photos by Walter Zadek - portraits of Helmar Lerski and photos taken during a photography workshop led by Lerski. Impressive cooperation between two artistic photographers, among the prominent photographers in Eretz Israel, prior to 1948.
Helmar Lerski was born in Strassburg to a family of Polish immigrants. During his youth he travelled through various countries. In 1893 he immigrated to the United States and was involved with theater. In 1910 he opened a photography studio in Milwaukee, and later, taught photography. Lerski returned to Europe in 1915 and settled in Berlin, where he became part of the cinema industry. Lerski was famous mainly for his staged portrait photos. His style was expressive, using lighting to create sharp contrast and light and shade effects. In 1932 he moved to Eretz Israel, settled in Tel-Aviv, and worked as a portrait photographer and film director. His apartment in Tel-Aviv served as a permanent meeting point for local photographers (Lerski served as an honorary chairman of "Association of Professional Photographers in Eretz Israel"). He held workshops on the roof of his house where he demonstrated his methods to colleagues and students.
One of the workshops, during which Lerski demonstrated use of mirrors, was documented by the photographer Walter Zadek, founder of the “Association of Professional Photographers in Eretz Israel”. Presented are four photos by Zadek which were taken during this workshop, and portray Lerski during work, as well as ten portrait photos of Lerski. The portraits were taken by Zadek in the same expressive style typical of Lerski.
11 photos, ca. 6X8.5 cm, signed by hand by Zadek, in pen, (English); three photos 6X6 cm, signed by hand by Zadek, in pencil (Hebrew). Condition varies. Overall good condition. Seven photos are in a fine passé par-tout.
See enclosed catalogue: “Helmar Lerski, Working Hands, Photographs from the 1940s”, catalogue of an exhibition in the Israel Museum. Curator: Nissan Perez. Jerusalem, 2011. (Some of the photos in this collection are documented in the catalogue).
Fourteen b/w professional photos by Walter Zadek - portraits of Helmar Lerski and photos taken during a photography workshop led by Lerski. Impressive cooperation between two artistic photographers, among the prominent photographers in Eretz Israel, prior to 1948.
Helmar Lerski was born in Strassburg to a family of Polish immigrants. During his youth he travelled through various countries. In 1893 he immigrated to the United States and was involved with theater. In 1910 he opened a photography studio in Milwaukee, and later, taught photography. Lerski returned to Europe in 1915 and settled in Berlin, where he became part of the cinema industry. Lerski was famous mainly for his staged portrait photos. His style was expressive, using lighting to create sharp contrast and light and shade effects. In 1932 he moved to Eretz Israel, settled in Tel-Aviv, and worked as a portrait photographer and film director. His apartment in Tel-Aviv served as a permanent meeting point for local photographers (Lerski served as an honorary chairman of "Association of Professional Photographers in Eretz Israel"). He held workshops on the roof of his house where he demonstrated his methods to colleagues and students.
One of the workshops, during which Lerski demonstrated use of mirrors, was documented by the photographer Walter Zadek, founder of the “Association of Professional Photographers in Eretz Israel”. Presented are four photos by Zadek which were taken during this workshop, and portray Lerski during work, as well as ten portrait photos of Lerski. The portraits were taken by Zadek in the same expressive style typical of Lerski.
11 photos, ca. 6X8.5 cm, signed by hand by Zadek, in pen, (English); three photos 6X6 cm, signed by hand by Zadek, in pencil (Hebrew). Condition varies. Overall good condition. Seven photos are in a fine passé par-tout.
See enclosed catalogue: “Helmar Lerski, Working Hands, Photographs from the 1940s”, catalogue of an exhibition in the Israel Museum. Curator: Nissan Perez. Jerusalem, 2011. (Some of the photos in this collection are documented in the catalogue).
Travels to Eretz Israel, Maps, Photography, Postcards and Graphics
Travels to Eretz Israel, Maps, Photography, Postcards and Graphics